Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed in extensive Israeli and American air raids on Iran over the weekend. The reports emerged as early as Saturday, but were confirmed by Iranian state television during the night leading into Sunday.

According to Israeli media, Israel dropped around 30 bombs on the 86-year-old ayatollah’s complex in Tehran on Saturday morning. The operation was part of a larger military campaign involving about 200 fighter planes—the most extensive in the history of the Israeli Air Force.

There are also reports suggesting Israel had intelligence indicating the ayatollah would be there for a meeting prior to the attack.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) state that an additional seven members of Iran’s top power structure were eliminated in the operations. Among them are mentioned Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Khamenei’s security adviser Ali Shamkhani.

US President Donald Trump commented on the death after the attacks, stating that Khamenei was one of the most evil people in history.

“He could not escape our intelligence services and our highly sophisticated tracking systems, and in close cooperation with Israel there was nothing he or the other killed leaders could do,” Trump writes, adding that this marks a historic turning point for the country.

“This is the greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”

Trump has announced that the strikes on targets in Iran will continue as long as necessary to achieve the goal of peace in the Middle East.

Iran Prepares Response – Trump Warns

On Sunday night, Iranian state media confirmed that Ali Khamenei had been killed in the attack. Several of his family members are also reported to have perished.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard praises the fallen leader and promises retaliation against those responsible. According to the Guard, “the largest offensive operation” in the country’s history is being prepared, targeting Israel and American bases in the region.

In a further statement, US President Donald Trump warns Iran that the country should refrain from additional attacks—otherwise, the US and Israel will respond with a force never before seen.